How to Shingle a Roof With Architectural Shingles

by Robert C. Young

Architectural shingles add longevity and visual interest to a roof.

Architectural shingles add texture and a three-dimensional appearance to a roof. Their benefits, however, are not just aesthetic. They also prevent water seepage better than regular shingles and come with a 40-year warranty. They are more expensive than regular asphalt shingles, so take extra care when installing them to avoid waste and misapplication. Using a professional roofer will guarantee a quality job, but a skilled do-it-yourselfer with the right tools can complete the job at a fraction of the cost.

1

Measure your roof to determine the number of shingle bundles and felt rolls, also known as underlayment, needed to cover the roof. Roofers break roofs into squares when measuring for shingles. A square is a 10-foot by 10-foot area, and three bundles of shingles are needed to cover a square. Remove any existing shingles, underlayment and flashing by scraping with a shovel or shingle ripper. Hammer any nails into the decking. Cleaning the roof is unnecessary if you are working with new construction.

2

Lay the edge of a roll of felt on the decking along the roof's lower edge. Roll the felt horizontally across the roof, and cut it with the utility knife at any obstruction, such as at a gable, dormer or valley. Continue laying the felt on the other side of the obstruction. Overlap slightly each successive row of felt until the roof is covered.

3

Cut strips of metal flashing with the tin snips, bend them in half to crease them, unbend and place them around vents and chimneys. Nail the bottom edge of the flashing to the roof with roofing nails. Line all valleys with flashing and nail the flashing into place with a line of roofing nails 1/2 inch from the flashing's edge.

4

Begin a starter course by cutting off the tabs about two inches from the top of the shingle. Nail this piece into place at the roof edge so that it extends approximately two inches over the edge. Continue the starter course around the roof's perimeter.

5

Apply the first real course of architectural shingles so that the tabs reach the lower edge of the starter course. Attach each shingle with three nails, one in the center and one each on each side, four inches from the center. Continue around and up the roof, lapping each subsequent course over the prior one. Apply roofing tar liberally around any vents, pipes and chimneys.

6

Place ridge vents along the entire roof ridge, or peak, and nail them in place with roofing nails.

Things You Will Need

Extension ladder

Tape measure

Shovel or shingle ripper

Hammer

Tin snips

Nail gun

1 1/2-inch roofing nails

Utility knife

Roofing tar

Ridge vent

Trowel

Tip

Spread bundles across the roof before you begin laying shingles to save time and effort.

Using a nail gun will make the job go much faster than using a hammer.

About the Author

Robert C. Young began writing professionally in 1989 as a copywriter for an advertising specialty company. From 2000 to 2007 he operated a real-estate development and construction company. His work has been published online at SFGate and various other websites. He graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in economics from Georgia State University.

Photo Credits

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